Alexis MacAllister’s signing by Liverpool has already started their transfer business, but there still appears to be work to be done in terms of outgoings, with promising youngster Fabio Carvalho among those who appear to be leaving.
The Merseysiders have reportedly previously rejected a proposal from RB Leipzig for the 20-year-old, with the club only reportedly willing to let the former Fulham prodigy to walk out on loan this summer. This information comes from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The playmaker’s future is uncertain, which comes after a trying first season at Anfield for the Portuguese gem, who was only able to make 13 Premier League games, only four of which were at the start.
Despite Jurgen Klopp hailing Carvalho as a “big talent” early in the season, the German manager has previously claimed that while the forward has done “nothing wrong,” the team has just been in need of “different skills.” It appears that Carvalho has not been able to fully gain Klopp’s trust.
Because Klopp already has a wealth of youthful talent at his disposal who can rapidly replace the £5 million player in the first-team setup, it should come as no surprise that the Portugal U21 international might be on his way sooner rather than later.
The Reds’ young teenage combination of Kaide Gordon and Ben Doak is one of those drawing attention.
Who are Kaide Gordon and Ben Doak?
The Merseysiders just signed both of the young players, with Gordon coming from Derby County in 2021 and Doak from Celtic, one of the Old Firm’s storied clubs, in 2022.
Although they are still in the early stages of their development, the pair have already attracted attention. RedMen TV’s Ste Hoare claimed in an interview with Football FanCast that the attacking combo may compete with Carvalho for a regular spot in the senior ranks.
The well-known insider said:
“I would be more thrilled if Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon were two of the six forward options. Mohammed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Diego Jota are all examples. And then I believe that they are searching for a sixth player in that rotation because [Roberto] Firmino has definitely left.
There is a school of thought that Harvey Elliott might be the player, but I still prefer to see him in midfield. Therefore, I believe there is definitely room for one of those young players to take the lead.
“Ben Doak made brief appearances last season, and Kaide Gordon was visible the season before, until he suffered a hip injury. One of the two will fit in, in my opinion. I believe that these two will genuinely compete with one another to move up to the sixth spot.
“It will be intriguing to watch who prevails because they are both outstanding young athletes with diverse skill sets. But if Carvalho departs the team as it appears he might, I believe one of those could wind up being the sixth forward option.
As Hoare mentioned, 17-year-old Doak, who usually plays on the right flank, had a breakout season this year, scoring 11 goals and dishing out eight assists across all competitions at the youth level while also making five first-team appearances after being dubbed a “huge talent” by journalist Barry Anderson.
Gordon, meantime, has struggled with injuries over the past year or two, despite the fact that the 18-year-old, a right winger by trade, has already made four first-team appearances and scored against Shrewsbury Town in January 2022.
With the two wonderkids only on the cusp of the senior ranks at present, the departure of Carvalho could allow at least one of them the chance to establish themselves as a part of Klopp’s forward line next term.